Pacific Grove looks at regulations for pubs and wine bars, again

The Pacific Grove City Council, armed with answers to its questions, will again consider commercial code changes Wednesday that would allow brew pubs and wine bars.

The hearing is continued from the council's Jan. 2 meeting during which council members decided to submit their own questions to planners about the proposed changes.

A new council report says the underlying goals for the changes are to increase business activity, streamline permit reviews, reduce auto-oriented uses downtown, and better accommodate new business models.

The proposed changes would not allow stand-alone bars, but would allow new formats for serving alcohol including: pubs that would close by midnight; wine bars that would close by midnight; and alcohol served at bed-and-breakfasts, motels and hotels.

Most small businesses wouldn't be required to obtain a use permit, but a couple of uses — self-storage facilities and restricted retailers (gun shops and tobacco shops are given as examples) — would face tighter reviews under the new rules, the report says.

Also Wednesday, the Pacific Grove council will consider:

· Approving a $190,850 construction contract with Nor-Cal Contractor for improvements at Lighthouse and Forest avenues. The money is coming from a 2007 bequest of $309,000 to the city from Jeanette McIndoo.

· Applying to the state Water Resources Control Board for $62,500 to help pay planning costs for three small water projects the city says could save potable water and reduce golf course irrigation costs.

· Applying for $65,450 from the state's urban forestry program to support the city's goal of planting at least 300 trees a year.

· Approving nominees for city boards and commissions. Most nominees would continue in their current positions, but five would be new to their seats. They are Mike Meloy, Historic Resources Commission; Jane Sullivan, Library Board; Stephanie Atigh, Museum Board; Jean Anton, Natural Resources Commission; and Don Murphy, Planning Commission.

Larry Parsons can be reached at 646-4379 or lparsons@montereyherald.com.